He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them. But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion … ...He must be able to hear them from persons who actually believe them … he must know them in their most plausible and persuasive form.John Stuart Mill

---The trouble is that you think you have time------Worry is the Interest, paid in advance, on a debt you may never owe------It's not what happens to you in life that is important ~ it's what you do with it ---

He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them. But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion … ...He must be able to hear them from persons who actually believe them … he must know them in their most plausible and persuasive form.John Stuart Mill

But seriously, all of the Canon is great, but the above three summarize it all and can take you to Nibbana. Some don't have the time or resources to read all of the approximately 20,000 pages of the Tipitaka. The above three would be a great start and study material for years if one does not have access to the whole Canon.

Sanghamitta wrote:Just as a matter of curiosity Chris , are there legal or perhaps technical reasons why it is not possible to quote Bhikkhu Bodhis translations ?

Hello Sanghamitta,

The Suttas are not audio clips of a talk with the Buddha. They are the profound teachings of a spiritual genius, and are packed layer on layer with meaning. They were memorised by special groups of bhikkhus to ensure the Teachings were not lost or distorted through the ages, and need to be 'unpacked' by someone skilled in the Dhamma. e.g. Bhikkhu Bodhi's translation and explanation of the Brahmajala Sutta and commentaries runs to 338 pages.

mettaChris

---The trouble is that you think you have time------Worry is the Interest, paid in advance, on a debt you may never owe------It's not what happens to you in life that is important ~ it's what you do with it ---

---The trouble is that you think you have time------Worry is the Interest, paid in advance, on a debt you may never owe------It's not what happens to you in life that is important ~ it's what you do with it ---

He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them. But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion … ...He must be able to hear them from persons who actually believe them … he must know them in their most plausible and persuasive form.John Stuart Mill

as the one who started this thread I would like to know what everyone thinks the three most important parts of the Tipitaka

The three most important parts of the Tipitaka? May I suggest Vinayapitaka, Suttapitaka and Abhidhammapitaka?

Seriously ... personally I would place the Mahasatipatthana among the most important suttas. As for the two others, I just have too many potential candidates ... sorry. And the text I felt was important to me yesterday, is not necessarily the text I feel important to me today. Maybe the Mulapariyayasutta should be among the three. Or perhaps rather the Bahiyasutta from the Udana, which gives the same teaching in a shorter format.

But why just 3 texts?

In cooperation with a small working group I have just finished editing and translating an anthology of important texts for the Buddhist Society of Norway. We chose to include 233 texts in the collection. We could have included a few more, or excluded a few of them, but we feel that these selections cover the main aspect of the Buddha's life and teachings. This book is going to be published later this year.

Kare wrote:The three most important parts of the Tipitaka? May I suggest Vinayapitaka, Suttapitaka and Abhidhammapitaka?

I was tempted to write that, but you beat me to it.

In cooperation with a small working group I have just finished editing and translating an anthology of important texts for the Buddhist Society of Norway. We chose to include 233 texts in the collection. We could have included a few more, or excluded a few of them, but we feel that these selections cover the main aspect of the Buddha's life and teachings. This book is going to be published later this year.

I assume that it will be in Norwegian? Excellent! The Wheel of Dhamma keeps turning! Much merit!

He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them. But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion … ...He must be able to hear them from persons who actually believe them … he must know them in their most plausible and persuasive form.John Stuart Mill

1. The Bhikkhu Paṭimokkha2. The Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta3. The Mahāparinibbāna Sutta.

1. Because it was Subhadda's suggestion after the Buddha's demise that the bhikkhus could now do as they wished, and it was this that led to the convening of the First Buddhist Council to preserve the Dhamma while it was still intact. The Vinaya was recited first, as it is the life-blood of the Sāsana, and the bhikkhus are the guardians of the true Dhamma. If the bhikkhus neglect to observe the Vinaya rules, the Buddha's true teachings will soon disappear.

2. Using the right method is crucial to gain insight. The Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta includes all of the important teachings for the correct and diligent practice of mindfulness. There is no way to develop insight without first establishing mindfulness.

3. The Mahāparinibbāna Sutta is a chronology of the last six months of the Buddha's life. In it, he reiterates the essential points of his teachings again and again. For example, take the Dhamma as your dīpa — your guiding light¹ and refuge — take no other refuge. That is, follow a wise and well-behaved teacher by all means, but don't let it become a clique or a cult. Think for yourself, study the texts, and observe the prescribed morality for Buddhists, whether lay or monastic.

¹ Often translated as "refuge," but I think a better translation in this context is "light." The word saraṇa = "refuge" is also used in the same passage:

He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them. But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion … ...He must be able to hear them from persons who actually believe them … he must know them in their most plausible and persuasive form.John Stuart Mill

I am surprised no one has so far grouped together the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, the Anatta-lukkhana Sutta, and the Aditta-pariyaya Sutta. Bhikkhu Nanamoli groups them together as the "three cardinal discourses of the Buddha."

Manapa wrote:it was a duel responce maybe I should of broken it up more how about now?Hi Kareyou will have to post the bits that were kept in!

What kind of bits? Kept in where? What are you talking about?

Hi Kare

I know I shouldn't speak for another poster, but my interpretation was that it would be nice to see a list of the Suttas that were included in your Anthology.

Metta Jack

"For a disciple who has conviction in the Teacher's message & lives to penetrate it, what accords with the Dhamma is this:'The Blessed One is the Teacher, I am a disciple. He is the one who knows, not I." - MN. 70 Kitagiri Sutta